Nafplio is located about one and a half hour’s drive from Athens, on the
Peloponnese peninsula. The beautiful old city has a wealth of narrow
alleyways and streets, steep stairs, taverns serving delicious Greek
food, lively bars, clubs and cafés, a lovely seafront promenade, and
enough sights to fill a week or two. But the best is perhaps just being
in this wonderful city, watch the sun go down behind the mountains,
colouring the bay red, or relax in the central square and look at the
playful children, couples, friends and families enjoying food, wine or
frappé - just like you.
Discover all the must-sees, walks, and other great adventures you can look forward to.
Classical music festival:
Every June, Nafplio arranges a week's festival of classical music, where
musicians and orchestras from specific countries are invited.
The sites which you have to see!
Syntagma Square, the vivid heart of Nafplio -
Syntagma Square (Platia Syntagmatos) is Nafplio’s heart. Here the
Nafpliots sit with a coffee in the morning, or the children play in the
soft evenings, while parents and grandparents enjoy dinner, couples and
friends meet over wine or beer… Syntagma means Constitution, and you
will find squares by this name all over Greece. But Nafplio’s Syntagma
is truly unique. The beautiful buildings, primarily in neoclassical
style, create a beautiful frame around the square, and the polished
marble floor reflects both sunlight and streetlights. Even in winter
this is the place to be, the sheltered location between all the
buildings - and strategically placed heat lamps - make the cold
disappear.
Platia
Trion Navachon (The Three Admirals Square) gets its name from the three
admirals who fought (and won) on the Greek side in the battle of
Navarino in 1827: the British Codrington, the French DeRigny and the
Russian Heyden. Sir Edward Codrington later became the assistant to Lord Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar. Many magnificent buildings in neoclassical
style surround the square, including the town hall,
originally Greece's first high school (from 1857), and next to it a
building that originally was a pharmacy. In fact, the pharmacist, the
Italian Bonifatsio Bonafin, embalmed the corpse of Kapoditrias here,
after he was murdered outside the Agios Spyridon church in 1831. The so-called "little
palace" once stood on the square. It used to be the home of
Kapodistrias, and also Otto, Greece's first king, when he resided in
Nafplio. Unfortunately, the stately house burned to the ground in 1929.
Today, a statue of King Otto is erected where the little palace used to
be, while Kaposistrias’ statue can be found on the square opposite, at
the other side of Sigrou Street. The other monument on the
Three Admiral’s square is a marble funeral monument containing the
bones of Dimitrios Ypsilandis, one of the leaders of the Greek
revolution.
"Megalos
Dromos", Great Road, the Nafpliots still calls it, although it’s long
ago named Vas. Konstantinos. This is the main artery through Nafplio,
mainly car-free and full of life, ambience and culture. The walk we can begin at Syntagma Square.
Megalos Dromos is the road that starts just to the left of the old
mosque in the east of the square. This part of the Great Road offers us
beautiful neo-classical buildings, lush bougainvilleas, small shops and
nice cafes. You can buy clothes or jewellery, have a coffee or a light
meal, and perhaps do a bit of people spotting. Soon the road leads us to The Three Admirals Square with its Town Hall, across Sygrou Street, past the Court House and Kapodistrias’ statue, and into the park,
where we walk in the shade of pines and palm trees. Here is also a
fenced playground for children, and Kolokotronis, which the park is
named after, sitting on horseback. Out of the park, and we can continue until we
reach a huge, complex intersection, Endekati. Here Megalos Dromos ends,
and we are in the shopping area of the New Town and near the suburb Pronia. It was Greece's first
president, Ioannis Kapodistrias, that had Megalos Dromos built on the
pattern of great European cities. It originally ran from his palace on
The Three Admirals Square to Syntagma.
Sundays
the Greeks venture out for a volta, in other words, they will go for
walk. The walk is to be taken in a leisurely pace, often in more or less
urban environments, and during the walk it is considered preferable to
stop at a cafe for a little refreshment.
Here I will give you suggestions to three such voltas, close by and in
the Old Town, and they can be implemented whether it is Sunday or not.
Around Akronafplia
Stroll on a nice path around the headland almost circling the hillside below Akronafplia,
the castle located above the old town. You can start your walk down by
the harbor (Akti Miaouli street), and walk along the waterfront
promenade towards Bourtzi. There are many cafes along the way, and it is
permitted to stop at one of them, even though the trip until now only
lasted a few minutes. If not, simply follow the paved road along the
sea, past the breakwater and then westwards. Soon the castle rises above
you and the sea shimmers just below you.
If you’re in the mood,
walk up the stair to the small church of Panagitsa and the secret school, or continue your walk around the headland. Soon you’ll see
Arvanitia beach, and finally arrive at the large parking lot above the
beach.
Would you like to swim,
go down the stairs to the right. Do you want to continue down town, walk
across the parking lot and down the hill, and you’ll soon see the
rebuilt city gate of Nafplio, the «Pili of Xiras» on your left. But if you’ll rather walk even further, cross the parking lot
above Arvanitia and choose the steep road to your left. Soon you’ll have
the panoramic view of the Old Town in front of you. Go down through the
gate to get back to the Old Town, or continue further up and go inside
the walls of Akronafplia. After a while you reach Nafplia Palace Hotel, and you can have your well-deserved refreshments there. If you can afford it.
Walk through Karathona
Honestly, I recommend this trip the most from the all you could arrange. Not only because it's very interesting and you will see many fantastic, scenic and breathtaking views while walking but also you can connect the trip with bike trip (the road is good quality so many runners and cyclists use it) or swimming. Grab bikini with you and enjoy sunny weather with clear, blue sea! There's very quiet beach in a half way to Karathona (Karathona is quite famous and not that pleasant) and only local Greeks know this place.
You can start your walk from the parking lot above Arvanitia (public beach) and then go on the left straight.
City park
On the outskirts of the Old Town, not far from the main bus station, a green lung is stretching east to the suburbs of Pronia and the New Town.
In the park you can say hello to the statue of the independence hero
Kolokotronis and his horse, and visit the old train station complete
with a locomotive, a pleasant café and a large playground. It’s a short
walk, so why not continue on to Pronia and experience real Greek life.
Nafplio Virtual Tour
Put on a headset, grab a
map, and embark on a guided walk through the city. The voice in your
rented earphones will lead you absolutely everywhere of interest, and
provides many fascinating historical facts. Read more at www.nafplio-tour.gr
Mini train and the Hop on / hop off bus
If
you are a more leisurely type, use the hop on / hop off bus that brings
you from the harbor and on a wide trip around the town and up to
Palamidi, listening to a (recorded) English speaking guide.
Or, for a shorter trip, embark on the mini train that fairly regularly
runs from the port, and and brings you to many of the famous sights of
Nafplio.
How can I get to Nafplio?
BY BUS
You can take a bus to Terminal A / Stathmos Kiffisos in Athens and from there another bus to Nafplio.
Bus number X93 runs from
just outside El. Venizelos airport's arrival hall to Stathmos Kiffisos.
Buy tickets at the airport before entering. The trip lasts somewhere
between a half and one hour, depending on traffic. Price approx 5 Euros.
If you’re already in
Athens, bus No. 051 from the intersection Zinonos and Menandrou Streets,
south of Omonia, will bring you to Stathmos Kiffisos.
Taxi from the centre normally costs between 10 and 15 Euros, depending on where the taxi picks you up.
Stathmos Kiffisos is a
major bus terminal. Find the sign that says Nafplio / Argolida, and buy
your tickets there. The buses go hourly on the half hour from morning to
evening (some exceptions). The journey takes two to two and a half
hours, going via Corinth / Isthmos and Argos. Nafplio is the terminus.
Price approx. 12 Euros.
Please note that the bus from Nafplio to Athens stops at Eleonas metro station
(blue line) before it continues to Stathmos Kiffisos. From Eleonas the
metro will take you to the centre, then continue to the airport. This
will usually be a faster solution than to travel by bus. Just make sure
you get on the right train, not all of them run all the way to the
airport.
For more info about KTEL buses please read my post here.
BY TAXI
The simplest - and cheapest - is to get the hotel you will stay in in Nafplio to pre-book a taxi for you, or contact greek-taxi.gr. A taxi trip costs approximately 150 euros, and lasts a bit over one and a half hour.
BY TRAIN
It is possible to take
the "Proastiakos" train from the airport to Corinth, but the train from
Corinth to Nafplio is suspended at the time of writing. Yet, it will be
cheaper to take a train to Corinth and taxi from there, than to use a
taxi all the way from the airport. Ask the hotel you are staying in in
Nafplio to book a taxi for you.
CAR RENTAL
If you rent a car at the
airport, it's easy to find the way to Nafplio. From the airport you
drive directly onto the motorway and follow the signs first to Elefsina,
then Corinth, and finally the signs say Nafplio. The road is generally
very good, except for a short distance between Corinth and Nafplio which
is fairly narrow and winding. Calculate two hours if you keep the speed
limit. And you do, don’t you!
BY FERRY
PIREUS - ERMIONI or PORTO HELI
There is a ferry (3.5
hours) and express ferry (2 hours) from Piraeus to both Ermioni and
Porto Heli, via the Saronic islands. From Ermioni and Porto Heli you can
catch the bus to Nafplio.
HYDRA/SPETSES - TOLO
In the summers, Pegasus Cruises arranges
boat trips from Tolo to the islands of Hydra and Spetses. It is
ususally possible to travel only one way, but arrange in advance with
them.
Where can I stay, and should I book in advance?
There's a huge selection of hotels and guesthouses in Nafplio, most of
them in the Old Town. Except in the summer season, it will be no problem
to find a room, unless it’s Easter or a Greek holiday, as October 28.
or March 25. Please be aware that a Pension doesn’t necessarily mean a
lower standard, only that it doesn’t have a staffed reception around the
clock. If so, you also get a key to the front door.
How’s the weather?
In July and August, you
can expect relatively high temperatures, usually somewhere in the 30's,
but it can be over 40. In May, June and September, temperatures are
typically somewhere between 20 and 30 degrees, but they can be both
higher and lower, and it may rain, but it rarely lasts long. In the
other months the temperature is very variable, it can be over 20 degrees
in December while April may have 10. Or vice versa. Long periods of bad
weather are rare, many summers in Britain are wetter and colder than an
average Nafplio winter.
Where can I eat?
Generally you’ll get
good food in Nafplio. A large majority of the tourists who come here are
Greek, and most restaurants reflect it: Greek quality food. Staïkopoulo
is the street with the most taverns. It’s a pleasant and lively place
to sit, but also the street that attracts the most foreign tourists,
which may affect the quality: The menu must adapt to taste buds from
many countries, and the tavern owners also know that you probably won’t
be back. But by all means, there are good taverns in this street too.
At the harbour promenade
along the Bouboulinas, fish is the usual fare, but you’ll find other
food, too. Most other taverns are located in Yialos,
the streets between Syntagma Square and the waterfront, and although
they may not have as spectacular scenery as those we have mentioned
above, many offer excellent food.
When are the shops open?
It’s impossible to give
exact times, but generally they’re open from nine or ten to two or half
past two every day except Sunday. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday they open
again from about six to about nine. But there are many exceptions; in
the Old Town shops are usually open from morning until late evening,
with no siesta and seven days a week, at least during summer. The Super
Market in the Old Town is called Carrefour, also open all day, but
closed Sunday. It’s located in the port end of Sigrou Street.
And what about post and bank?
The
Post Office, located at the intersection Sigrou / Sidiras Merarchias,
is open eight to two, Banks have the same opening hours, except that
closing time Friday is half past one. Post and banks are closed Saturday
and Sunday. There is an abundance of ATMs, but a lot of shops do not
accept credit cards. NB: There are exceptions to these opening hours, so
check when you are in town if necessary.
Do you have any more questions? Ask me in the comment!